The longtime host of The bachelor franchise is temporarily “taking a step aside” after a train crash in an interview in which he defended the racist actions of a competitor, which included participating in a themed planting party in 2018.
In a statement posted on his Instagram page, Chris Harrison said he would not be present in the traditionally live episode “After the Rose” at the end of the current season.
“The historic season of The Bachelor should not be hampered or overshadowed by my mistakes or diminished by my actions,” wrote Harrison, referring to Matt James, who is the first Black Lead in the history of The bachelor. “I am dedicated to being educated on a deeper and more productive level than ever before.”
In recent days, current competitor Rachael Kirkconnell has been found to wear insensitive Halloween costumes and to enjoy offensive social media posts – including one in which two people pose in front of a Confederate flag.
Harrison was asked about Kirkconnell’s past during an Extra interview earlier this week with Rachel Lindsay, the first black star in the The maiden and now a media personality. He refused to condemn his actions and the event was the attack on his behalf, saying, “The police are awake outside and this poor girl Rachael has just been thrown to the lions.”
“I hear that all the time … ‘I think he should, I think she should.’ Who the hell are you? Who are you to demand this? ”He added.
Fans were furious after seeing the 14-minute exchange, and the entire cast of the current season released a statement in solidarity with Lindsay after the interview. The franchise has long been the subject of accusations of racism.
Kirkconnell, who is considered a favorite of the season, later apologized. “At one point, I didn’t recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that doesn’t excuse them,” she said in a statement on Thursday. “My age or when it happened does not excuse anything. They are not acceptable or correct in any sense. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist ”.